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Valley of Bloomington |
Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction |
Calliope Unit
Facts about Calliopes
The calliope is an American invention and consists of a series of tuned steam whistles played by means of a keyboard. A successful calliope player must be a combination mechanic and musician. Keys must be struck with considerable pressure to open steam valves, the whistles require frequent adjustment to keep them in tune.
Calliope, named after the Greek muse, is pronounced CALIOPAY although circus fans favor CALLEYOPE.
Records are not available on the number of these instruments which were first used on riverboats where they are well remembered as a feature of the famous show boats.
It is estimated that there were over 60 steam calliope wagons used by American circuses during the past 75 years.
The first steam calliopes had only 21 whistles and did not employ a chromatic scale as was introduced later on the 32 key instruments.
Not many of the old steam calliopes have survived the years. There are a few in museums and several in private hands.
The later air operated calliope, while not as impressive as the steam instrument, was widely used in smaller circuses and carnivals in the 1920s. Most of these, too, have disappeared from service and their music is relativley unknown. Show people and circus fans continue to cherish the memories of the old circus days and the important part played by the calliope itself. We are indebted to those who have contributed pictures and historical information for this short history.-- Cleaver-Brooks Company
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